CSK vs GT: Day after retirement U-turn, Ambati Rayudu dropped from Super Kings XI
India Today
IPL 2022, CSK vs GT: Chennai Super Kings made an array of changes for thier penultimate game of the season and a notable ommision was Ambati Rayudu, who created a stir on social media with his 'retirement' tweet on Saturday.
Veteran batsman Ambati Rayudu was left out of the Chennai Super Kings playing XI for their penultimate match of the IPL 2022 season against table-toppers Gujarat Titans on Sunday, May 15. The decision helped raise a few eyebrows as Rayudu had sent social media into a frenzy on Saturday, announcing his retirement on Twitter before deleting the tweet.
Ambati Rayudu, who has been a pillar of strength for CSK, said on social media that IPL 2022 would be his last season of his celebrated career in the premier T20 league. However, even as the post was widely-shared Rayudu deleted it, leading to speculation.
CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan on Saturday clarified the situation, saying that Rayudu is not going to retire at the end of the season and that he would continue to represent the franchise in 2023.
A day after the controversy, Rayudu was not named in the XI for Match 62 of IPL 2022 as MS Dhoni confirmed 'a lot of changes' in their team. CSK are out of the playoffs race for only the 2nd time in their IPL history as they ave managed only 4 matches out of their first 12.
Chennai handed debuts to Sri Lanka's slingy pacer Matheesha Pathirana, leg-spinner Prashant Solanki while they brought back Mitchell Santner, N Jagadeesan,
CSK, who are hoping for a strong finish to the season, failed with the bat on a sluggish pitch at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday as they managed just 133 on the board in 20 overs. Ruturaj Gaikwad hit a fifty and Jagadeesan hit a 33-ball 39 but it was not enough as Gujarat Titans sealed a 7-wicket win.
Pathirana impressed with 2 wickets, including one of the first delivery on IPL debut, but his efforts went in vain as Wriddhiman Saha hit a composed 50 to help Gujarat go past the finish line and confirm thier place in the top 2 of the IPL 2022 points table.
